DNES 10 Years: Building Central Vietnam’s Startup Ecosystem with Ecomdy

1. Celebrating 10 Years of DNES and the Growth of the Startup Ecosystem

The Da Nang Business Incubator (DNES) recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, marking a major milestone in the development of the startup ecosystem in Central Vietnam.

Over the past decade, DNES has grown from a pioneering incubation program into a key organization supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup development in Da Nang and beyond. The anniversary event gathered leaders from government, startups, investors, and technology companies to reflect on this journey and explore the future of innovation in the region.

The celebration was not only about looking back at the achievements of the past ten years but also about introducing the next stage of growth for DNES.

2. The Role of DNES in Vietnam’s Startup Ecosystem

Founded in 2016, DNES was among the first public–private startup incubator models in Vietnam. Its mission has been to support entrepreneurs through mentorship programs, startup incubation, investor connections, and business development resources.

During its 10-year journey, DNES has helped incubate and support more than 150 startups, many of which have successfully raised funding and expanded into regional and international markets.

Beyond incubation programs, DNES has also contributed to the broader innovation ecosystem by:

• Connecting startups with mentors and investors

• Organizing startup training programs and accelerators

• Supporting entrepreneurs in product development and market expansion

• Building partnerships with international innovation organizations

Through these efforts, DNES has played an important role in positioning Da Nang as an emerging innovation hub in Vietnam.

3. Ecomdy’s Strategic Investment in DNES

A major milestone in the new phase of DNES came in September 2025, when Ecomdy completed a strategic investment in DNES.

This investment marked the beginning of a deeper collaboration aimed at expanding the capabilities of DNES and strengthening the startup ecosystem in Da Nang.

As part of this partnership, Pham Duc Linh, founder of Ecomdy, was appointed Vice Chairman and CEO of DNES, where he now helps lead the incubator’s strategic direction.

Mr. Linh has been involved in the startup ecosystem in Da Nang since its early stages, making this collaboration a natural continuation of a long-standing commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.

4. The Vision: Innovation Hub by the Sea

Under the new leadership and strategic direction, DNES is evolving from a traditional incubator into a broader innovation platform.

The new vision for DNES is “Innovation Hub by the Sea” - a hub that connects Vietnamese startups with global technology ecosystems, investors, and markets.

This vision aims to position Da Nang as a place where startups, technology, and international collaboration converge.

To achieve this goal, DNES will focus on three key strategic sectors:

Cross-Border eCommerce

With the rapid growth of global digital commerce, cross-border eCommerce presents enormous opportunities for Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

DNES aims to support startups building solutions for global online markets, helping founders scale their products internationally.

AI Startups

Artificial Intelligence continues to transform industries worldwide. DNES plans to support AI-driven startups that are developing innovative solutions across sectors such as automation, data analytics, and digital services.

Fintech and Blockchain Innovation

Another key focus area is fintech, particularly blockchain-based financial technology. DNES aims to nurture startups building next-generation financial infrastructure and digital financial products.

By focusing on these industries, DNES hopes to accelerate the growth of startups capable of competing in the global technology landscape.

5. Expanding the Ecomdy Technology Ecosystem

The strategic investment in DNES is also part of Ecomdy’s broader vision to expand its technology ecosystem.

Ecomdy is widely known for helping businesses scale through digital marketing, eCommerce solutions, and global commerce platforms such as TikTok.

Over the past five years, Ecomdy has supported tens of thousands of businesses in achieving growth through digital platforms and cross-border commerce.

By partnering with DNES, Ecomdy is now extending its role beyond digital growth services into startup incubation and innovation development.

This collaboration creates opportunities to combine:

• DNES’s experience in startup incubation

• Ecomdy’s expertise in technology, eCommerce, and global markets

Together, both organizations aim to help startups transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses that can compete internationally.

6. The Future of Innovation in Da Nang

The 10-year milestone of DNES represents more than just a celebration. It signals the beginning of a new chapter for the startup ecosystem in Da Nang.

With Ecomdy’s strategic investment and the new vision of “Innovation Hub by the Sea,” DNES is entering a new era of development.

The next decade promises exciting opportunities for startups, investors, and technology innovators — not only in Da Nang but across Vietnam and the global startup community.